Saturday, December 26, 2009

......our tiny town actually has a mall.It is very shocking.It is not a large mall, but with 2 departmentish stores and about 10-15 others store, it is a mall.

It is cold outside, and there is snow on the ground.We went to the mall so the girls could push their new strollers around.Ashlee got tired of that game about 3 minutes in.And so Caitlin attempted to push both strollers.While there we let the girls ride the little Christmas train, as I'm sure it will be going away very soon. They loved that.

At home we made han-ger-bers.We all just pretended to eat them, except Ashlee, who made a real attempt- twice.

December 23rd- gingerbread housesWe did these at my parents house last year, and my mom gave us a few extras to do this year with Caitlin (it was an adult activity last year).It was fun for Caitlin, but kind of a lot of work for her little hands.And Ashlee tried to be to much help, and we ended up having to keep her in her high chair, which she hated.So Chris made 1 and I helped Caitlin make one, and we still have one for next year.

Saturday, December 19, 2009

December 19th- Christmas partyAdults only- sorry Caitlin and Ashlee.Chris and I enjoyed an ugly sweater party with a bunch of our friends.We found our matching sweaters at a thrift store.Chris really played his up and won "hottest".Thanks, Jen and Brook, for a great party!

We also watched the first bowl game of the season. The Cowboys beat Fresno State in a great game. Go Pokes!

Wednesday, December 16, 2009

December 15th- visit the libraryThe public library near our house had a little Christmas evening planned. We went and enjoyed some little kids singing and santa and cookies. And Miss Wyoming came and Caitlin thought she was a real princess, what with her tirarra and sash. She actually asked her where her princess dress was, and kept saying "she is a princess just like i am a princess."

Monday, December 14, 2009

We opted for Christmas brownies, and Ashlee and Caitlin helped me make them.

December 13th- deliver brownies

We delivered them to the families that Chris and I home and visit teach.

December 14th- service

Ashlee and I picked up a name on the giving tree this morning.

This evening we all went shopping for a 1 year old girl and were able to get her some clothes and toys. Then the girls helped wrap the gifts.

I tried to explain to Caitlin what we were doing, and why we were doing it, and I'm not sure she really understood; but she showed such excitement while we were picking out gifts at the store and wrapping them, that I think she felt the spirit of it.

Friday, December 11, 2009

December 11th- make Christmas cardsWe used potato stamps to put a picture on each card. While cutting the picture into the potato, I wasn't sure it would really work very well.It worked great and was a huge hit with Caitlin and Ashlee.They didn't want to stop.I told Caitlin we could do some more for valentines day.I hope I don't forget.

Thursday, December 10, 2009

December 9th- read a story of Jesus' birth and talk about why we celebrate Christmas

December 10th- color Christmas picturesI think she is envisioning it in her head.Caitlin is sure growing up all of a sudden. She is actually making an attempt to stay in the lines while coloring.

Yesterday at pre-school I picked her up and she said, "My name is C then A then I then T then L then I then N." We have been practising for some time, but this was the first time she could do it.

While coloring tonight she asked for red, and I handed her a red (well, I knew it was actually violet-red, but it looks red and would she really know the difference?) She started coloring and said, "Mom, this is more pink, but that'sok". Ohhhhhh- busted, I then traded her for "real" red.

And speaking of crayons, I was enjoying the names of some of the colors in our box:

Tuesday, December 8, 2009

December 7th- Christmas partyThe social science department at WWCC had a Christmas party at a local restaurant, so we had a date and the girls had a babysitter. The girls think there is nothing funner then a babysitter, so a nice evening was had by all.

December 8th- read a Christmas storyThe story tonight was one we checked out from the library today. I joined in after the picture, and am pleased to announce that Ashlee actually sat with us for the whole story.

Sunday, December 6, 2009

December 6th- pull crackersPulling crackers is a UK Christmas tradition that we learned while living in Scotland. I made some for our Scotish table at the ward party, so we pulled them before dinner tonight.How does it work? 2 people hold each side and pull, it makes a popping (cracking) noise and whoever ends up with the long popping stick in their hand gets the prize inside.We had slight alterations, but it was more or less the same.We pulled them before dinner, than ate on our new Christmas plates, and enjoyed watching the Christmas Devotional after dinner.

Saturday, December 5, 2009

The theme was Christmas around the world, and we had a table displaying Christmas in Scotland. We also enjoyed dinner and a talent show, which Chris mc'd. And all the kids enjoyed a special visit at the end.

Caitlin wrote a letter to Santa earlier in the day and later told him the exact things she had drawn in her letter. She wants a baby doll and me, her mama for Christmas.

December 5th- make craft with Grandma and Annie

We made gingerbread men that my mom brought. Anything that we do that involves glue is a hit with Caitlin. Ashlee just enjoyed helping Grandma.

Thursday, December 3, 2009

The girls each got to open a gift from us, which was an apron for each of them. Then they got to help make a christmas treat- carmel shortbread. We will eat it tomorrow because it wasn't ready until after they went to bed.

Ashlee really likes the apron, she just didn't want to stand up.

See, happy sitting on Grandma's lap.

That is the other exciting thing that happened today. Bamma Berta and Annie came for a visit!